Gas generation



Aug. 9; 1932. G. w. LORIMER GAS GENERATION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 4, 1928 11y VENTOR W ATTORNEY g- 9, 1932- e. LORIMER l 1,871,415

GAS GENERATION Filed Sept. 4, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J6 59 56 i i l Patented Aug. 9,1932.

UNITED STATES PATENT? orr caa GEORGE W. LOBIMER, OI TROY, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESHE ASSIGNMENTS, TO BLACK PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION ILLINOIS GAS GENERATION v Application filed September 4, 1928. Serial No. 308,826.

- This invention relates to gas generation, and particularly to the generation of com bustible gas from liquid fuel such as gasoline, and the like.

'5 One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a. method, and apparatus for carrying out that method, of generating gas from liquid fuel which produces a superior and more uniform combustible gas, and which effects a material reduction in the quantity of tailings from a given quantity of liquid fuel.

Another object of the invention isto provide such .a gas generating apparatus which is particularly adapted for domestic use, and

which is simple in constructiomhighly effective, economical and automatic in operation, re uiring a minimum of attention. bther objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description; the accompanying drawings and appended claims. In the drawings, in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views thereof- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational .view of apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a unitary motor moved for purposes of illustration;

Iiig. 3 is a front elevational view of Fig. 2; an

Fig. 4 is a 'vertical sectional view through the electrically operated valve for the bypass.

In gas generating plants in which combustible as is generated by bubbling air through a ha y of liquid fuel, such as gasoline, the more volatile constituents of the fuel are first removed with the air leaving behind the more difficulty volatile constituents. The net result is that after the gas has been generated for a time from a particular quantity of fuel, practically all of the more volatile constituents will have been driven off leaving behind higher boiling fractions which of themselves are unsuitable for generating satisfactory gas, this proportion being termed tailings and being generally discarded as unfit for and pump mounting, with certain parts refurther gas generation. It is not-uncommon that as much as 50% or more of the original quantity of liquid fuel is discarded in the tailings. Furthermore, the quality of gas is non-uniform during gas generation due to the fact that theniore volatile constituents are substantially all removed inthe initial part of the gas generation, resulting in a gas having a fluctuating B. t. u. value. p

The present invention overcomes to a large extent the above-noted defects and provides it is found practical with the present whereby the quantity of tailings is reduced to a. negligible amount. In accordance with the method of this invention, the quantity of fluid bubbled through the liquid fuel during gas generation is maintained in substantial excess of that required to generate the required amount of combustible gas. This is accomplished by lay-passing a portion of the generated gas back through the liquid fuel to thereby provide for the bubbling of unusually large volumes of fluid through the liquid fuel to effectively agitate the same and keep the fuel 'well mixed during gas generation. The uniformity of the gas may be still better maintained and the quantity of tailings further reduced, if the quantity of generated gas by-passed back through the liquid fuel is increased as the gas generation proceeds from a given quantlty of fuel or as the level of fuel being treated drops.

Referring to the drawings, a closed gas tank which maybe of conventional construcfion is indicated at 10, being buried beneath the ground level indicated at 11. The tank is provided with a filling pipe 12 a removable cover 13 protruding above the ground level. In domestic installations, the

tank 10 is usually positioned on the exterior -:through pipe 26 to a of the building or house indicated at 15, while the other parts of the gas generatin apparatus are positioned within the buil ing.

A pump 20 driven byasuitable power means illustrated as an electric motor 21- draws in air through an intake pipe 22 controlled by a check valve 23 and forces the air from the discharge side of the pump through pipe 24 to a pressure equalizing tank 25, and from the pressure equalizin tank erforated distri uting ipe 27 disposed wit in the bottom of the Euel tank 10 beneath the normal liquid level therein. a

The tank 10 is normally kept partially filled with liquidfuel, such as gasoline, as indicated at 30, to thereby provide a gas storage space 31 in the upper portion of the tank. ,An ofltake pipe 32 leads from the gas storage-space to a work device or place of use of the gas, such as a gas stove indicated at 33. A branch pipe 34 leads to other work devices, not shown. Within the ofltake pipe 32.is a pressure reducing valve indicated diagram matically at 35. Any suitable and conventional construction of pressure regulating valve, such as the well known diaphragm regulator, may be used for this purpose and this is not further illustrated for that reason. Satisfactory practise in domestic use is to provide combustible gas in the storage space 31 at about a maximum effective pressure of six pounds per square inch above atmospheric,

the pressure regulating valve 35 serving to reduce this pressure in the house main. be-

' yond the regulator to about two to three ounces per square inch above atmospheric.

Any suitable and conventional type of pump 20 may be used, a rotary positive displacement pump or centrifugal pump being found superior. For convenience, the motor and pump installation is formed in a umtary structure, as shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, which can be positioned in a convenient location such as in the basement 37 of the building. In the construction illustrated, a suitable cast metal base 40 is pro- "the" vided having depending lugs at the corners within which are screw-threadedly received adjustable legs 42 for supporting the base at a convenient height. The cast base is provided with a central depending chamber 43 having an upper plane surface 44 adapted to receive thereon the inverted rectangular, casing 45 which is formed with a lower flanged portion 46 adapted to seat on the plane surface 44 and be bolted thereto in gas tight relation as indicated at 47 This provides the pressure equalizing chamber 25 above referred to. The base 40 is also provided with a thickened wall portion 48' adapted to,receive the motor'base 49 which is bolted thereto by bolts 50. Likewise the base 52 of pump20'is boltedto a thickened wall. portion 53 of the base 40* by bolts 54. The armapressure of a out six pounds gas, tank 25 ture shaft 55 of the motor is extended beyond the side of the base and carries at its outer end a pulley 56, while the rotor of pump 20 is provided with an extending shaft 57 provided with a pulley 58 in alignment with the pulley 56, a belt 59 running over pulleys 56 and 58 and serving to drive pump 20 from electric motor 21..

A suitable source of electrical 'ener is provided for the electric motor 21. $1; a

domestic installation, the ordinary house.

when the pressure in the equalizing tank 25' drops to. a predetermined minimum, the pressure responsive switch 62 is closed to start the motor and pump to thereby generate sufficient gas to raise the pressure in the system 'on the near side ofthe pressure reducing valve 35, including the gas storage space 31, pipe 26 and equalizing tank 25, until a predetermined maximum pressu e is obtained. Pressure responsive switch 6 is then automaticall opened, breaking the motor circu'it, an the gas generation ceases until the pressure again falls to the predetermined mlnimum. In a house installation of this character very satisfactory results are ob-- tained by 0' ration between a maximum r square inch and a minimum pressureof a out one pound per square inch, although, this may be varied to suit operating conditions. After the pump 20 the gas ace 31 drops due to consumption aid from pipe 26 and equalizing bubbles slowly into the tank 10 to thus equalize the. pressure throughout the *sstem on the near side of the pressure reucmg valve 35. A check valve 65 is rovided in pipe 26 to insure against backow, and a similar check valve 66, is provided in pipe 24 for the same pur n the present insta ationi a by-pass is provided to returnfa portion 0 the generated gas to'the intake side of pump 20. As

shown, a by-pas's pipe 7 O'communicates with the .gas spaoe31 of fueltank 10. This bypass pipe could be tapped directly into the ofl'take pipe 32 belo'wthe pressure regulating valve 35. The byass pipe 70 communicates at 71 with the'in 22 of the pump. During gas generation, a 'on of he generated has stopped, and the pressure in' gas accumulated in the pressure space 31 is withdrawn through pipe 70 and drawn into the intake side of pump 20 together with air from intake 22, the resulting fluid mixture being returned through 24, 25 and 26 into the tank 10 and bubbled through the liquid fuel therein. A valve 72 is provided to control the effective cross section of the by-pass passage to thereby control the rate of flow therethrough. The parts are preferably so adjusted that a large proportion of generated gas is recirculated in this manner so that the volume of fluid bubbled through the liquid during gas generation is in substantial excess of the amount of gas required.

Means are rovided/ for automatically closing by-pass 0 when the motor circuitof motor 21 is broken b the automatic switch 62, and 'for automatically opening the bypass when the switch 62 is closed and the motor 21 again started, This comprises an electrically operated valve 75 ositioned in the by-pass 70. Any suitable orm of valve may be used, a satisfactory constructionbeing illustrated in detail in'Fig. 4. As shown therein, a valve casing76 is mounted within pipe 70. Within this casing acentral web 77 is formed having two aligned valve seats 78 and 79 upon which the balanced valve 80 comprising two conical portions 81 and 82 connected by stem 83 is adapted to seat. The stem 83 of the. valve passes up through a stufling box 84 in the valve casing and is sur rounded by a cover 85. Mounted on the stem 83 is a solenoid core 86 cooperating with a solenoid coil 87, the ends of which are connected by leads 88 and 89 to the electrical circuit -61 of motor 21 in such a manner that the coil 87 is in multiple with the motor windings but is in series with the automatic pressure operated motor switch 62. V

The construction is such that when the motor switch 62 is closed and the motor is operating, the solenoid coil 87 is energized and the valve 75 is lifted from its seat to open by-pass 70. When the motor circuit switch I 62 is broken and the motor is stopped, the. electrical energy is cut oil from leads 8889,

of the solenoid coil 87-jand the coil is deenergized with the result that valve 75 is closed. In order to insure positive closing of surrounds the upper end of the valve stem 83 and bears at one end against collar 92 and at the other end against cover 85, surrounding a guide 94 carried by the cover. The

- electrical connections of the valve 75 being in multiple with the motor windings permit a arge current to be supplied to the motor, while only a small operating current flows through the resistance coil of the valve;

Means are also provided for increasin the proportion of generated gas' recircufated through the by-pass 7 0 as the level of fuel in tank 10 drops. Asshown, a float 96 is provided which is responsive to variations in liquid level in tank 10. A lever 97 pivoted at 98 to the side wall of the tank and passingversely when the level of fuel in tank 10 is. raised as by introducing fresh fuel through filling opening 12 the valve 72 ismoved to ward closed position to decrease the efiective cross section of by-pass 7 0. Thus during gas generation, the flow through the 'by-pass is automatically varied in accordance with variations in liquid level. When gas generation is first begun with a fresh quantity of liquid fuel, the recirculation through by-pass is maintained. at a minimum, but as the gas generation proceeds this circulation is gradually increased in proportion to-the amount of gas generated, resulting in the eneration of gas of more uniform quality t roughout the entire period of gas generation and in a reduction in the amount of tailings.

In operation, as gas is used by a work device such as stove 33 and the pressure within the gas storage space 31 falls, and consequently the pressure within equalizing chamber 25 falls to a predetermined minimum due to the equalizing action of pipe 26, the pressure responsive switch 62 is closed to thereby close the motor circuit 6061 of motor 21 to drive pump, 20. With the closing of switch 62, the solenoid coil 87 of the electrically operated valve is energized to open by-pass 70. The efiective flow through by-pass 70 is then controlled by valve 72. As the pump 20 operates, a portion of generated gas in pressure space 31 is withdrawn through bypass 70 and mixed with incoming air from intake 22, and the mixed fluids are then passed through pipe 24, equalizing. chamber 25 and pipe 26 into the liquid fuel withintank I 10 to cause a'violent agitation of this fuel. the valve, the upper portion of stem 83 is provided with a collar 92, and a coil spring 93 When the pressure builds up within pressure space 31 and equalizin tank 25 to a predetermined maximum, t e switch 62 of the motor circuit is again opened to stop motor 21and pump 20.- As 'soon as the switch 62 is broken, the solenoid coil is deenergized permitting valve 7 5 to resume its closed po- 4 sition to close by-pass 70, thereby insuring against leakage of as from pressure-space 31. Inasmuch as t e motor armature and the rotor of the pump continue to coast for a short time after switch 62 is broken,'it is seen that the valve 75 is closed prior to the pping of pump '20, further against escape of gas pressure during the automatic operation of the plant. As the gas generation proceeds and the liquid fuel level in tank 'drops, the float 96 falls and through the linkage connections effects movement of valve 72 toward open position to thereby increase the proportion of generated gas recirculated through by-pass 70.

While the, method herein described and the form of apparatus for carrying this meth od into effect, constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is 'not'limited to this precise methodand form of apparatus, and that changes may be made in either without dearting from the scope of the invention which is defined in the a'ppended claims.

\Vhat is claime is: L-Apparatus of the character described, comprising a fuel tank for containing a quantity of liquid fuel, means for bubbling a combustion-supporting fluid through the liquid fuel in said tank, an ofitake p pe for said tank, and aby-pass for returmng generated gas to said tank to be bubbled through the li 'uid fuel therein to thereby 1ncrease the agitation and mixing of said liquid fuel during gas generation.

2. Apparatus of the character described,

" comprisin a fuel tank for containing a quantit of liquid fuel, a pump for forcing air into said tank below the normal fuel level therein to effect bubbling of the air through the liquid fuel, an intake passage for said pump, an ofitake pipe for said fuel tank, and a by-pass for returning generated gas to the intake of said pump to be thereby recirculated through the fuel in said fuel tank. a

3. Apparatus of the character described, comprismg a fuel'tank partially. filled with liquid fuel to provide a gas-space thereabove, a pump, an air intake for said pump a discharge for said pump, a pipe connecting the discharge of said pump with the interior of said fuel tank below the liquid level therein, a check valve in said pipe, an ofitake pipe leading from the gas space of said fuel tank, a by-pass connecting the gas space of-said fuel tank with the air intake of said pump, and a valve for controlling said by-pas s.

4. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a fuel tank for containing a quantity of liquid fuel, a pump for causing air to pass into said tank below the normal fuel evel therein to effect bubbling of the air through the liquid fuel, an ofitake. pipe for I said tank, a by-pass for returning generated gas to said tan to be thereby recirculated through the fuel therein, and an electrically operated valve for controlling said by-pass.

' '5. Apparatus of the character described,

comprising a fuel tank for containing a quantity of liquid fuel, a pump for causing air to pass into said tank below e normal fuel leyel therein to effect bubbling of the air through i 9. Apparatus of the liquid fuel,'an ofitake pipe for said tank a by-pass' for returning generated gas to s'ai tank to be thereby recirculated through the fuel therein, and control means effective to automatically". close said by-pa'ss prior to; stopping of said pump.

6. Apparatus of the character described,

comprislng a fuel tank'containing a quantity of liquid fuel, a pumpfor causing air to pass into said tank below the normal fuel level therein to effect bubbling of the air through the liquid fuelapower means for driving said pump, an ofit e pipe for said tank, a bypass for returning generated gas to said tank 'to be thereby recirculated through'the fuel therein, and control'means for automatically closing said by-pass upon stopping of said power means.

7. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a fuel tank containing a quantity of liquid fuel, a pump for forcing air into said tank below the normal fuel level therein to effect bubbling of "air through the liquid fuel, an intake for said pump, an electric motor for driving said pump, an electric circuit for said motor, a switch in said motor circuit, an ofitake pipe for said tank, a by-pass for returning generated gas to the intake of 'said pump, and control means for automatically closing said byass when said motor circuit switch is openedi 8. Apparatus of the .character described, comprisln a fuel tank containing a quantity of liquid uel, a pump for forcing air into said tank below the normal fuel level therein to effect bubbling of air through the liquid fuel, an intake for said pump, an electric motor for driving said pump, an electric circuit for said motor, a switch in said motor circuit, an oiftake pipe' for said tank, a b

pass for returning generated gas to the inta e of said pump,"an electrically operated valve for said by-pass, .and electrical connections between said motor circuit and said electrically operated valve so arranged that breaking of the motor circuit by opening of themotor circuit switch cuts ofl'the supply of electrical energy to the electrical connections of said valve.

the character described, com rislng a fuel tank containing a quantity of h uid fuel, a ump for causing air to" pass into said tan below the normal fuel level therein to effect bubbling of air through the liquid fuel, an electric motor for driving said pump, an electric circuit 'for said motor,

a switch in said motor circuit, an ofitake pipe for said tank, a by-pass for returning generated gas to said tank to be thereby recirculated through the fuel therein, an electrically operated valve in said by-pass, and electrical connections for said valve connected in multiple with said motor windings and in series with said motor circuit switch.

10. Apparatus of the character described,

.through the liquid fuel, a by-pass for returnlng generated gas to said tank to be thereby recirculated through the fuel therein, an automatically operated valve for open ing and closing said by-pass, and a second valve for controlling the effective opening of said by-pass to control the rate of flow therethrough when said first-mentioned valve is in open position.

11. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a fuel tank for containing a quantity of liquid fuel, a pump for causing air to pass-into said tank below the normal fuel level therein to effect bubbling-of the air through the'liquid fuel, an ofi'take pipe for said fuel tank, a by-pass for returning generated gasto said tank to be thereby recirculated through the fuel therein, and control means for automatically regulating flow through said by-pass in accordance with the level of liquid fuel in said fuel tank.

12. Apparatus of the character described, comprising afuel tank for containing a quantity of 'liquid fuel, a. pump for'causing air to pass into said tank below the normal fuel level therein to effect bubbling of the air through the liquid fuel, an ofitake pipe for said fuel tank, a by-pass for returning generated gas to said. tank to be thereby recirculated through the fuel'therein, a valve in said by-pass, and control means for automatically moving said valve toward open posi- 'tion as the level in said fuel tank drops.

13. Apparatus of the character described,

, comprising a fuel tank for containing a quanfuel, an intake tity of liquid fuel, a pump for forcing air into said tank below the normal fuel level therein to effect bubbling of the air through the liquid oiftake pipe for said fuel tank, a bv-pass for returning generated gas to the intake of said pump to be thereby'recirculated through the fuel in said fuel tank, a valve for said bypass, a float in said fuel tank responsive to liquid level variations therein, connections between said float and said valve effective to vary the positioning of said valve in accordance with variations in liquid level v in said fuel tank.

14. Apparatus of the character described for the generation of combustible gas from gasoline comprising a gasoline tank, a pumping means, a distributing pipe at the bottom of said tank and connected to the outlet side of said pumping means for bubbling air through gasoline in the tank, a connection from an upper portion of the tank to the inlet side of said pumping means for recirculating a substantial amount of gas throughv said distributing pipe to increase the richness of the gas and to'agitate and mix the gasoline passage for said pump, an

and operative character during gas generation, an electric motor for operating said pumping means, and a pressure switch for automatically controlling the.

operation of said motor.

15. Apparatus of the character described for the generation of combustible gas from gasoline or the like at ordinary temperatures comprising a main gasoline reservoir tank for holding gasoline at various liquid levels, a pump, a perforated distributing pipe at the bottom of said tank and connected to the out- I let side of the pump for bubbling air. through the gasoline in thetank, a connection from an upper portion of the tank to the inlet side of the pump for recirculating a substantial amount of gas through said distributing'pipe to increase the richness of the gas and agitate and mix the gasoline during gas generation, and means for automatically controlling the amount of recirculation in accordance with the liquid level in the tank, and means for operating said pump.

16. for the generation. of combustible gas from gasoline or thelike at ordinary temperatures comprising a main gasoline reservoir tank for holding gasoline at various liquid levels, a pump, a perforated distributing pipe at the bottom of said tank and connected to the outlet side of the pump for bubbling air through the gasoline inthe tank, a connection from Apparatus of the character described an upper portion of the tank to the inlet side of the pump for recirculating a substantial amount of gas through said distributing pipe to increase the richness of the gas and agitate air into said tank below the fuel level therein to bubble air through the fuel, driving means for said pump, and a pipe connection from the tank above the fuel level to the-inlet side of the pump for returning generated gas to the inlet side of the pump, and means for automatically starting and stopping the driving means at predetermined pressures.

' 18. A gas generating apparatus of the described, comprising a fuel tank adapted to be partly filled with liquid fuel,

.a pump having an inlet pipe, a check valve in said pipe, driving means. for said pump, pipe connections from the outlet side of the pump to a low portion of the fuel tank, and a pipe connection from the fuel tank above the fuel level therein to the inlet side of the pump but between the pump and said check valve.

19. In a pressure regulated gas generating system, a tank adapted to contam gaso-. line, a pump for bubbling air through said gasoline, a pipe connection from the outlet.

5 side of the pump to a low portion of the tank,'an electric motor for operating said pump, means for automatically maintaining the quality of the gas generated substantially'uniform when the quantity of the gasoline in the tank varies, mechanism responsive to variations in the quantity of the gasoline in the tank for controlling said last named means, and means responsive to changes in pressure in said tank for controlling said 15 motor.

In testimony whereof I'hereto afiix my signature.

GEORGE W. LORIMER. 

